Trump’s AI Image of Himself as Pope Sparks Outrage Amid Mourning for Pope Francis
NEW YORK (AP) — In a controversial move, former President Donald Trump posted an artificial intelligence-generated image of himself dressed as a pope on Truth Social, drawing significant backlash as the world mourns the death of Pope Francis. The post came just days before the conclave set to elect his successor, prompting rebukes from Catholic leaders and Italians alike.
The image, featuring Trump in a white papal cassock and miter, was shared on Friday and swiftly criticized in both the Vatican and social media. During the Vatican’s daily briefing, the image was deemed offensive, particularly since the Catholic Church is observing a nine-day mourning period following Francis’ passing on April 21. Italian media highlighted its poor taste, with former Premier Matteo Renzi calling it "shameful."
In the U.S., the New York State Catholic Conference criticized Trump for what it labeled as mockery, asserting, “Do not mock us.” While White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump’s intentions, emphasizing his respect for the Catholic Church, some of his supporters, including a far-right influencer, claimed it was a light-hearted joke amidst the serious context of the papal election.
Additionally, Trump playfully indicated his interest in becoming pope, which was echoed by allies like Senator Lindsey Graham, who encouraged the faithful to keep an open mind about such suggestions. This is particularly sensitive, as recent tensions have emerged between the Trump administration and the Vatican over immigration policies.
As the conclave approaches, the ramifications of Trump’s actions and comments are still unfolding, with speculation about how they may impact potential candidates and the broader Catholic community’s response.
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